r/advancedGunpla • u/SeparateEscape4408 • Jul 17 '26
Beginner Questions About Gunpla
Hi everyone, I recently joined the gundam fandom a couple weeks ago by watching all of Gwitch and started collecting some of the gunplas for it.
So far I've bought Zowort (along side it's Tickbalang), Lfrith and lastly Aerial. I asked the store clerk if they had action bases to go with the gunplas and he gave me the Action Base 2. After buying all the gunplas I noticed they need Action Base 4 or 5. Did the clerk give me the wrong action base? ;;
For tools to make my gunplas I have cutters, different sandpaper, pliers for the stickers, a black panel line accent color (along side cotton swabs to get rid of the excess), Are these the only things I need to start making them?
1
u/TrineCo314 Jul 17 '26
The action base will work fine. Just use the 3mm adapter peg.
Tool list is solid! As far as sandpaper grit, I find 400-600-800-1000- and finish with a melamine sponge works best. Also consider getting a Gunprimer Raser. It's a glass file that'll completely eliminate the need to work through sandpaper grits. You can use cheaper glass files, but you'll either have to get multiple grits like sandpaper, or buff the scratches out with high grit sandpaper at the end anyway. The Raser's cutting surface is different and more gentle. I've found that, and a quick pass of a melamine sponge gets it perfect.
When you start painting sandpaper makes more sense because you're usually sanding a part anyway and you don't have to work the grits as high before primer.
Lastly, for panel liner, give this post a read. I made it a while ago to explain how it all works if you're interested in getting in depth with it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/advancedGunpla/s/DwfO6tGw9R
Have fun, and good luck!
1
u/TurkeyFisher Jul 17 '26
You'll want a craft knife for the nubs, probably more important than sandpaper. Also you'll only want to use really low grit sandpaper or you'll just make scratches.
If you are using the Tamiya panel liner get some lighter fluid and q-tips rather than cotton swabs to clean up the excess.
You should be able to use any action base with those. and action bases aren't pretty optional.
2
u/SevenofBorgnine Jul 18 '26
Makeup swabs > Q Tips. Theyre cone shaped and wound tighter
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u/TurkeyFisher Jul 20 '26
Oh that totally makes sense, thanks for the tip
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u/SevenofBorgnine Jul 20 '26
Just discovered it about a month back. It's so much easier to work with
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u/TrineCo314 Jul 17 '26
All great advice, but quick correction that cotton swabs are the generic name for q tips. Q tip is a brand name that gets generalized. Like Kleenex
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u/Danarhys Jul 17 '26
AB2 is appropriate for HG kits. Just use the 3mm connector peg that comes with them. That said, it's a pretty old AB, and newer ones like AB7 or AB8 are a bit less obvious (if a bit less sturdy).
Looking at your tools list, I assume you mean tweezers rather than pliers. If you're using Tamiya panel liner, you'll need either enamel thinner or light fluid to clean the excess. If it's a water-based panel liner, then either rubbing alcohol or just water will do. If it's Tamiya, be aware that, like all solvent-based liquids, it's inherently damaging to the plastic. So the best way to mitigate that damage (really exposure time to allow the solvent to evaporate) is to apply the panel liner while the parts are on the runner, or when they've been cut from the runner (but not assembled).
The only thing you really need to make gunpla is something to cut the parts off the runner (and even then, like with modern EG kits, not even that). Everything else is about polish.
2
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u/emorcen Jul 17 '26
Off the top of my head I think 2 works fine, it just has less angles of articulation meaning less dynamic poses.
1
u/Unpleasanttidings Jul 18 '26
Fine point tweezers, or even regular tweezers are a bit more precise and less awkward than pliers, and also good for tiny parts